Business Notes

Successful FABTECH 2016 Las Vegas Wraps

In mid-November, FABTECH 2016, North America’s largest collaboration of technology, equipment and knowledge in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries, welcomed 1500 exhibiting companies and 31,110 attendees from more than 120 countries to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Exhibit space spanned more than 575,000 sq. ft., giving attendees the opportunity to see manufacturing’s latest innovations, interact one-on-one with key vendors and explore industry trends. Throughout the three-day event, attendees also had access to more than 100 education sessions and expert-led panel discussions. A variety of special programming was featured as well, including a keynote from boxing legend and entrepreneur Sugar Ray Leonard and an appearance from cast members of the reality TV show “Counting Cars.”

Hundreds of live product demonstrations showcasing manufacturing’s most cutting-edge equipment and technologies took place daily on the exhibit floor, allowing FABTECH exhibitors to present their current product offerings to targeted buyers.

Special-event and panel-discussion topics covered matters relevant to today’s manufacturers. They included additive manufacturing/3D printing, how to attract more women to manufacturing careers, improved product development strategies and how the 2016 presidential election results could impact manufacturing around the world.

FABTECH rotates annually between Las Vegas, Chicago and Atlanta. FABTECH Mexico also occurs annually and FABTECH Canada occurs biannually. These events are made possible by FABTECH’s five co-sponsors, including Precision Metalforming Association, American Welding Society, the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International, SME and Chemical Coaters Association International. For more information about FABTECH 2016 or FABTECH 2017, taking place in Chicago on Nov. 6-9, 2017, visit www.fabtechexpo.com.